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Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre--But Forgotten--Murders
A man finds his aunt bludgeoned to death in the living room of her elegant Forty Fort home. A teenage girl disappears on her way home from Coatesville High School. A reputed witch turns up dead in Pottsville. A young woman seemingly helps solve her own murder after she dies in a Philadelphia park.True-crime author Tammy Mal digs up facts on four of Pennsylvania’s weirdest killings in her book Tortured Pennsylvania’s Most Bizarre—But Forgotten—Murders. These 1930s crimes have long fallen into obscurity, but Mal deftly revives them in stark detail, from discovery of the body and through the trial. Ghosts, witches, resentment, and sex factor into these crimes, giving them a chilling edge as Mal brings them back to life in her latest true-crime book. It’s a look into just what tortured minds can do, certain to convince you to lock your doors after dark.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2014
86 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 28, 2018
Ms Mal has a knack for finding the most interesting murders from the past. Her research is flawless. Anyone interested in small town America and historical crime will enjoy her books. I re-read several of her books recently, a she is a local author who spoke with our book group.
January 28, 2015
This was a good book. It contained brief but thorough stories about four interesting and unusual crimes in an easy-to-read style. There were many distracting typos, so many that I would have to really want to read another book by this author before I would attempt it.
It's frustrating when an author publishes something with so many errors. I believe authors, if they want to be called author, owe it to their readers to offer them a readable book that has been properly proofread, not entrusted to SpellCheck.
It's frustrating when an author publishes something with so many errors. I believe authors, if they want to be called author, owe it to their readers to offer them a readable book that has been properly proofread, not entrusted to SpellCheck.
March 24, 2015
Good collection of true crime cases from Pennsylvania. All are from the 1930s except the last chapter (about the disappearance of an 84-year old), which was included as a favor to the missing woman's family.
April 23, 2015
Great book
Very well written book of true Pennsylvania murder stories that I living here, Never even heard of. Recommended to any true murder lover.
Very well written book of true Pennsylvania murder stories that I living here, Never even heard of. Recommended to any true murder lover.
May 3, 2019
An interesting read. I chose it solely because one of the stories involved a murder in Coatesville, PA, my hometown, and I needed such a book for one of the reading challenges. I made me curious enough to research some of the information Tammy Mal presented and delve a bit deeper. A great read for anyone interested in odd murders or simply from PA.
December 21, 2020
Was ok but she left a lot of stuff undone like Retreat closed, but you can go
And get information on Ms Thomsen, & family
And no more mention of Mummeys daughter Amy
These r items that need to be answered!!
And get information on Ms Thomsen, & family
And no more mention of Mummeys daughter Amy
These r items that need to be answered!!
February 7, 2024
Very Good Book
The stories were very interesting, though very tragic. It makes you wonder what happened to the world through the passage of time that so many people are left to go down the wrong path.
The stories were very interesting, though very tragic. It makes you wonder what happened to the world through the passage of time that so many people are left to go down the wrong path.
September 21, 2018
Interesting, if poorly edited.
January 10, 2020
Self-published with many grammatical errors and no page numbers, but interesting stories.
January 29, 2020
Excellent read
Excellent books Wish he would look at all of the interesting cases in upcoming county. I found the murders in these other countrieS interesting.
Excellent books Wish he would look at all of the interesting cases in upcoming county. I found the murders in these other countrieS interesting.
March 29, 2021
Not bad
It wasn't a bad read. Read a little like a school report at times, but still interesting. I liked that the graphic stuff wasn't left out. Recommended.
It wasn't a bad read. Read a little like a school report at times, but still interesting. I liked that the graphic stuff wasn't left out. Recommended.
July 9, 2024
Truly some bizarre murders indeed!
December 8, 2016
Good Writing; good storytelling
The cases are remote as far as national attention goes but interesting and well told. Sad cases as all senseless murders are. Sad and unfathomable how the victims are so often the luck of the draw. Most of us, fortunately, don't cross paths with the depraved or mentally ill. The unfortunate souls murdered in this book tragically did. The author does a good job reminding us they existed; they were loved; and they deserved to live out their lives like the rest of us. Beyond comprehension how cruel man can sometimes be. Evil still exists in this world. All we can do is pray we never cross paths with it.
The cases are remote as far as national attention goes but interesting and well told. Sad cases as all senseless murders are. Sad and unfathomable how the victims are so often the luck of the draw. Most of us, fortunately, don't cross paths with the depraved or mentally ill. The unfortunate souls murdered in this book tragically did. The author does a good job reminding us they existed; they were loved; and they deserved to live out their lives like the rest of us. Beyond comprehension how cruel man can sometimes be. Evil still exists in this world. All we can do is pray we never cross paths with it.
April 16, 2015
If you love old mysteries you will love this book
. This is an excellent book is filled with stories of phone crimes . Those of you who like reading about the older crimes and are tired of reading about the same stories we have today rehashed over and over again will enjoy this book .
. This is an excellent book is filled with stories of phone crimes . Those of you who like reading about the older crimes and are tired of reading about the same stories we have today rehashed over and over again will enjoy this book .
May 30, 2016
Short but interesting
The book took me about 3 hours to read. However, the writing was clear and concise. Interesting to read how far we have come in learning about mental disorders. I was also impressed at how, for the most part, the detective work was pretty thorough.
My condolences to Harriet's family, the last and most recent occurrence in the book.
The book took me about 3 hours to read. However, the writing was clear and concise. Interesting to read how far we have come in learning about mental disorders. I was also impressed at how, for the most part, the detective work was pretty thorough.
My condolences to Harriet's family, the last and most recent occurrence in the book.
January 9, 2015
Great book
Very informative and enjoyed reading, easy to follow .Would suggest for those that love short stories. Great book when not much time to read.
Very informative and enjoyed reading, easy to follow .Would suggest for those that love short stories. Great book when not much time to read.
April 6, 2015
easy read.
Short easy read regarding forgotten crimes and people. The rapidity of the actual executions after a death sentence is astonishing by today's stand of practice.
Short easy read regarding forgotten crimes and people. The rapidity of the actual executions after a death sentence is astonishing by today's stand of practice.
June 23, 2015
Very interesting stories, not one of which I had heard of before, which was refreshing because I have read a lot of true crime.
June 4, 2016
Fascinating
I really enjoyed this book. The subject matter is something that has always interested me. Being from Pennsylvania only made this book much better to read.
I really enjoyed this book. The subject matter is something that has always interested me. Being from Pennsylvania only made this book much better to read.
November 27, 2016
A great read about some interesting and obscure cases. Wish it had covered 14 rather than 4!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews